Two more items

My clothing
I do think an expectant tummy is darling, I really do. But you have to admit it's awkward to dress. My pants are turning into ankle pants/pedal pushers/high waders as I hoist them up over my belly. Or they are slung so low that the top of the pants does not meet the bottom of my shirts. I of course am blisffully unaware of this until I pass a full-length mirror during the day. From my vantage point looking down everything looks fine -- because I can't see below my tummy!


His birthday
I'm due on Dec 28, but at my last doctor's appointment my doctor suggested induction a week early. It's due in part to my history of having early bigger babies (about 8 1/2 pounds each. Max was 2 1/2 weeks early and Benny came 9 days early). But it could also be because of craziness of the season. What do you think? Do I take my chances of going into labor pre-Christmas, after Christmas, ON Christmas, or even after New Years, or do I go for being induced?

Could I bend your ear for a tick?

I get a lot of questions lately about how I'm feeling, now that I'm just about 33 weeks pregnant. But I may just be misinterpreting the generic "Hi how are you?" greeting. I usually give a longer answer than the standard "I'm fine, how are you?"

I like to say a pregnant woman can always complain. Here's what my doctor says is fine to complain about (because there's not much to do about it!)


My Spituation
I'm still a free-flowing camel/llama/baseball player. But in the last two months I have found a great way to deal with all the extra spit. I chew on tiny pieces of mint gum all day long. I break a stick of gum into probably sixths or even smaller. Somehow the mint or the chewing either dries out my mouth or helps me swallow better. But it still wakes me up at night, and I have to sleep on a towel. I went to the dentist recently for a checkup, and wanted to take "Mr Thirsty" home with me.

Heartburn
It's mostly in the evenings and handled by Tums, but lately even the mornings have been fire-y. Milk helps then. Chocolate milk even better. But regular chocolate and I have broken up for the time being. "It's not you, it's me," I cried.

Sciatica
My right hip hurts. I like to slap it like Maria does on "The Sound of Music." You know, when she sits on the pine cone at the dinner table then blames rheumatism for jumping up in pain? My whole body pillow helps a lot at night. Unless JB accidentally steals it in his sleep. I love that pillow so much I want to name this baby after it.

A name
I went back and forth between two names for several months, but in the last 2 months or so we've really liked another name. All I'll say is that on the way to work this week, a James Taylor song came on the radio and this little guy started to really move. Either it's a message about his name or he was trying to tell his momma that "Winter spring summer or fall, all you got to do is call."

Despite the complaining, this stage is fun. I love to feel the kicks, wiggles and movements. I like the attention my tummy gets, and I can't wait to see this little guy in all his newborn sweetness.

U-Air Force

JB was invited to spend a quick weekend in Colorado Springs to visit two of his former mission companions.

One of them works for the Air Force football team, and JB was able to take a tour of campus, the locker room, and of course go to the game.

He had a great time, especially because the Utes held on to win the game.

Halloween

Max had a costume party at school last Friday. JB took the dragon and Superman to school that morning.

On Saturday night we went trick-or-treating. We went early to escape most of the storm, but had some rain. Look at this little tail wagging down the sidewalk!

My cuties had certain houses they wanted to visit. I tried to go to more houses to say hi to them, but by the end of the night, I was carrying various capes, buckets, umbrellas and jackets plus baby#3, and I was ready to go home.

Max and Benny loved handing out the candy to others even more. They stood on the porch and beckoned to one and all: "Come here trick-or-treaters! We have candy at our house! We are having a sale on candy tonight!"

I would get up to see who was at the door and Max would scold me, "Sit down Mom, I got it. Your feet hurt." He also told me to relax. So I did!

JB had been invited to Colorado Springs that day for the Air Force-U of U football game. Pictures from that in the next post.

Attire

Some exciting things have been purchased in the past two weeks. Exhibit A: Feetsie jammies just the right size for a very tall 5-year-old, from Target.

For days he would change into them right away after school every day. Now he does the same with his halloween costume.


Exhibit B: Fireman boots from Costco and a free fireman hat from the SL Fire department.



He wears them all day, and all night. Yes, he says he's perfectly comfortable sleeping in them. Isn't that the cutest little figure you've ever seen?

My handsome chef

(JB serving up his smoked pulled pork at his sister Suzanne's wedding in July.)

Sometimes I pinch myself when I see what JB has cooked up. The other night he made citrus salmon, with rice that was tossed with olive oil, basil and garlic.


I was almost done eating the garlic-basil shrimp when I thought I should take a picture of it.


It was all very. very. good.

I didn't take a picture of all the homemade BBQ sauce that JB simmered for take-home gifts for our friend Roger's surprise birthday party last Saturday. Roger's wife JoLynn made cool labels that said "JBones" on them for all the bottles. That same day we received a bounteous bag of tomatoes from a friend's overflowing garden, so he tried his hand at making and canning salsa. We were up to our elbows in red stuff throughout the kitchen but I think it turned out delicious.

The farmer and the cowman

We had a great time recently at Gracie's birthday party. It was at Thanksgiving Point's Farm Country.

We got to feed the animals. Max was a little worried, so I showed him how sweet Millie the cow was. She really went after the corn on my hand. I feel like I've made a friend for life.

The boys loved riding the horses round and round.

I think Benny wants Gracie to have another birthday soon.